The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
St. Helena, CA
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone is the only center in the world dedicated to continuing education and career development in the food, wine, health and hospitality fields. The CIA's West Coast campus in
the heart of Napa Valley is housed in an historic, 1888 stone winery complete with teaching kitchens, a cooking demonstration auditorium,terraced kitchen gardens and the exquisite Wine Spectator Greystone restaurant. For courses, special events and visitor information, visit or call them at www.ciachef.edu or (707) 967-1100.
Once the mysteries of making a souffle are revealed, souffles will become a part of your weekly repertoire. The base of this souffle, the bechamel sauce, can be made two days in advance and kept refrigerated.

Spinach and Caramelized Onion Souffle

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 medium white onion, finely diced

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups milk (low-fat milk can be substituted)

3 packed cups fresh spinach leaves

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

3/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

To prepare the bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the water and simmer until
the water has cooked away and the onion caramelizes to golden-brown, stirring regularly for about 30 minutes. Add the flour and stir until dissolved. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Slowly pour the milk into the roux, stirring constantly, until it is fully blended. Simmer while stirring for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the nutmeg and salt. Set aside or refrigerate for later use.
Bring 2 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to a boil in a saucepan. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Submerge the spinach in the boiling water for just an instant. Immediately drain and bathe in ice water for a couple of minutes to cool the spinach. Transfer to a colander and squeeze out all excess water. Chop the spinach roughly and set aside.
To temper the bechamel into the egg yolks, place the lightly beaten egg yolks in a large, stainless steel bowl. Whisk a few drops of the hot bechamel sauce into the egg yolks. Continue whisking as you gradually add half of the hot sauce into the egg yolks. Then, add the last half of the hot sauce, whisking to combine thoroughly. Stir the chopped spinach into the bechamel-egg mixture; cool down to room temperature and fold in the shredded Gruyere cheese.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. For appetizer portions, use eight, 3-ounce ceramic ramekins. For main course servings, use four, 6-ounce ramekins. Coat the ramekins with olive oil, dust with a good coating of parmesan cheese and set aside.
Prepare the meringue by whipping the egg whites and cream of tartar together until the meringue reaches a medium-high peak. Fold a third of the meringue into the bechamel-spinach mixture to loosen it up. Continue to add the
remaining meringue by gently blending.
Portion the souffle mixture into the prepared ramekins. Carefully wipe clean each souffle dish rim. Sprinkle each souffle top with parmesan cheese. Bake 3-ounce ramekins for 20 minutes or 6-ounce ramekins for 25 minutes until
golden-brown. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.